Ball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer

ABSTRACT

A ball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer is disclosed. The ball mount can comprise a ball portion for interfacing with a ball configured to couple with a tongue of a trailer, a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle, and a load measurement device associated with the hitch portion. The hitch portion can be configured to pivot relative to the hitch receiver about a fulcrum in response to a downward force on the ball, with the hitch receiver resisting rotation of the hitch portion about the fulcrum thereby inducing a load on the hitch portion. The load measurement device can be configured to determine a magnitude of the downward force on the ball based on the load on the hitch portion.

PRIORITY DATA

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. Nos. 61/826,247, filed on May 22, 2013, 61/928,166,filed on Jan. 16, 2014, and 61/948,487, filed on Mar. 5, 2014, each ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to trailer hitch devices,systems, and associated methods. Accordingly, the present inventioninvolves the mechanical arts field.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When towing a trailer behind a vehicle, one factor that cansignificantly affect safety is the tongue weight or static downwardforce that the trailer applies to the hitch of the tow vehicle. If thetongue of the trailer does not apply enough downward force to the hitch,a dangerous condition called trailer sway could result. If the tongue ofthe trailer applies too much downward force to the hitch, then the reartires of the tow vehicle can be overloaded, thus pushing the rear of thevehicle around and compromising steering and/or braking of the towvehicle. A generally acceptable tongue weight for any trailer issomewhere between 9% and 15% of the gross trailer weight (GTW).Measuring tongue weight typically involves weighing the tongue weight ofthe trailer when decoupled from the tow vehicle, which can be timeconsuming and dangerous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides trailer hitch devices,systems, and associated methods thereof. In one aspect, for example, aball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer is provided. Such aball mount can include a ball portion for interfacing with a ballconfigured to couple with a tongue of a trailer. The ball mount can alsoinclude a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associatedwith a vehicle. In addition, the ball mount can include a loadmeasurement device associated with the hitch portion. The hitch portioncan be configured to pivot relative to the hitch receiver about afulcrum in response to a downward force on the ball, the hitch receiverresisting rotation of the hitch portion about the fulcrum therebyinducing a load on the hitch portion. The load measurement device can beconfigured to determine a magnitude of the downward force on the ballbased on the load on the hitch portion.

The present disclosure also provides a trailer hitch system formeasuring tongue weight of a trailer. Such a system can include a hitchreceiver associated with a vehicle, a trailer having a tongue forcoupling the trailer to the vehicle, and a ball mount. The ball mountcan include a ball portion supporting a ball configured to couple withthe tongue of the trailer, a hitch portion for interfacing with thehitch receiver, and a load measurement device associated with the hitchportion. The hitch portion can be configured to pivot relative to thehitch receiver about a fulcrum in response to a downward force on theball, the hitch receiver resisting rotation of the hitch portion aboutthe fulcrum thereby inducing a load on the hitch portion. The loadmeasurement device can be configured to determine a magnitude of thedownward force on the ball based on the load on the hitch portion.

The present disclosure additionally provides a method of measuringtongue weight of a trailer. Such a method can include obtaining a hitchreceiver associated with a vehicle. The method can also includeobtaining a trailer having a tongue for coupling the trailer to thevehicle. The method can further include obtaining a ball mount having aball portion supporting a ball configured to couple with the tongue ofthe trailer, a hitch portion for interfacing with the hitch receiver,and a load measurement device associated with the hitch portion, whereinthe hitch portion is configured to pivot relative to the hitch receiverabout a fulcrum in response to a downward force on the ball, the hitchreceiver resisting rotation of the hitch portion about the fulcrumthereby inducing a load on the hitch portion, and wherein the loadmeasurement device is configured to determine a magnitude of thedownward force on the ball based on the load on the hitch portion. Themethod can still further include engaging the tongue of the trailer withthe ball. Additionally, the method can include observing the magnitudeof the downward force on a display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a trailer hitch system for measuring tongue weight ofa trailer, in accordance with an example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a detailed schematic illustration of a ball mount and a hitchreceiver of the trailer hitch system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a ball mount for measuring tongue weight of atrailer, in accordance with another example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a ball mount for measuring tongue weight of atrailer, in accordance with yet another example of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a ball mount for measuring tongue weight of atrailer, in accordance with still another example of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a ball mount for measuring tongue weight of atrailer, in accordance with a further example of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

In describing and claiming the present invention, the followingterminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set forthbelow.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and, “the” include plural referents unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to anumerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “alittle above” or “a little below” the endpoint.

As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete ornearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property,state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is“substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completelyenclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree ofdeviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on thespecific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completionwill be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and totalcompletion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is equallyapplicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the completeor near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state,structure, item, or result. For example, a composition that is“substantially free of” particles would either completely lackparticles, or so nearly completely lack particles that the effect wouldbe the same as if it completely lacked particles. In other words, acomposition that is “substantially free of” an ingredient or element maystill actually contain such item as long as there is no measurableeffect thereof.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositionalelements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list forconvenience. However, these lists should be construed as though eachmember of the list is individually identified as a separate and uniquemember. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as ade facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based ontheir presentation in a common group without indications to thecontrary.

Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format.It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely forconvenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly toinclude not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limitsof the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values orsub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value andsub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical rangeof “about 1 to about 5” should be interpreted to include not only theexplicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but also includeindividual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus,included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3, and4 and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4, and from 3-5, etc., as wellas 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, individually. This same principle applies toranges reciting only one numerical value as a minimum or a maximum.Furthermore, such an interpretation should apply regardless of thebreadth of the range or the characteristics being described.

The Invention

With reference to FIG. 1, illustrated is a trailer hitch system 100 formeasuring tongue weight of a trailer, in accordance with an example ofthe present disclosure. The system 100 can include a hitch receiver 102associated with a vehicle 103 and a trailer 104 having a tongue 105 forcoupling the trailer to the vehicle. The system 100 can also include aball mount 101 configured to measure tongue weight of the trailer 104.

The ball mount 101 can include a hitch portion 110 for interfacing withthe hitch receiver 102. The hitch receiver 102 can be any typical hitchreceiver, such as a standard 2′½″, 2″, or 1¼″ size square hitchreceiver. The hitch portion can include a hole 112 or other suitablefeature to facilitate securing the ball mount 101 to the hitch receiver102, such as with a pin or threaded fastener through the hole 102 of theball mount 101 and a hole 106 of the hitch receiver 102. The ball mount101 can also include a ball portion 120 for interfacing with a ball 107configured to couple with the tongue 105 of the trailer 104. The ballportion 120 can include a coupling feature 121 configured to couple tothe ball 107 in any suitable manner, such as with a threaded coupling, aclearance hole for a threaded fastener, or other removable coupling. Inone aspect, the ball 107 can be coupled to the ball portion 120 with aweld or other a permanent coupling.

The ball mount 101 can also include a load measurement device 130associated with the hitch portion 110. The load measurement device 130can be configured to determine a magnitude of the downward force on theball 107 and, therefore, the tongue weight of the trailer 104. It shouldbe recognized that any suitable load measurement device can be utilized.For example, the load measurement device 130 can comprise a load cell ortransducer, such as a strain gage load cell, a mechanical load cell, ahydraulic load cell, and/or a pneumatic load cell, or any other suitabletype of load cell. In one aspect, the load measurement device 130 cancomprise an interface portion 131 configured to interface with the hitchreceiver 102. For example, as shown in the figure, the interface portion131 can be located at a top side 113 of the hitch portion 110 tointerface with an upper interior surface of the hitch receiver 102.

In addition, the ball mount 101 can include a display 140 configured toindicate the magnitude of the downward force, as determined by the loadmeasurement device 130. In one aspect, the display 140 can be associatedwith the ball portion 120, as shown in the figure. The display 140 canbe any suitable type of display, such as an analog or a digital display.The display 140 can be coupled to the load measurement device 130 in anysuitable manner such that the display can properly indicate themagnitude of the load on the ball 107. In one aspect, the display can bemechanically, electrically, hydraulically, and/or pneumatically coupledto the load measurement device 130. The load measurement device 130and/or the display 140 can therefore include any suitable mechanical,electrical, hydraulic, and/or pneumatic device or mechanism that canfacilitate the determination and/or display of the magnitude of the loadon the ball 107. For example, the load measurement device 130 and/or thedisplay 140 can include a processor and/or memory to determine themagnitude of the load on the ball 107. In one aspect, a mobile device,such as a smartphone or a tablet, can include a processor and/or memoryused to determine the magnitude of the load on the ball 107, such as byexecuting an application. In another aspect, the display 140 can becalibrated to indicate the magnitude of the load on the ball 107, basedon mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and/or pneumatic input from theload measurement device 130. In a particular aspect, therefore, thedisplay 140 can be integral with the load measurement device 130 indetermining the magnitude of the load on the ball 107.

The ball mount can also include a transmitter 142 such that load datapertaining to the magnitude of the downward force on the ball 107 can bewired or wirelessly transmitted to the display 140. In one aspect, thetransmitter can transmit load data to a location remote from the ballhitch, such as to a remote display 141. For example, the display 141 canbe located inside the vehicle and can receive load data for display tothe driver or operator of the vehicle. The transmission of load data canbe via vehicle wiring, such as the taillight wiring, which can beutilized to communicate load data via a signal to the interior of thevehicle. In another aspect, a wireless transmission of load data can beaccomplished via a Bluetooth connection, a cellular network, LAN, WIFI,an RF signal, an infrared signal, or any other suitable type of wirelessnetwork, connection, and/or protocol. In one aspect, the display 141 cancomprise a screen of a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a tablet.Thus, the load data can be communicated to any suitable location, in orout of the vehicle. It should therefore be recognized that the display140, 141 can be disposed in any suitable location and can be incommunication with the load measurement device 130 via any suitablemeans. In one aspect, the load measurement device 130, the display 140,and/or the transmitter 150, or any other related item or device, such asa processor, memory, a battery, or a RF receiver, can be located in oron the ball mount 101.

Although the trailer hitch system 100 includes what is generallyreferred to as a “ball mount” throughout the present disclosure forcoupling with a trailer, it should be recognized that the trailer hitchsystem can include any suitable form of coupling with a trailer, such asa lunette ring and pintle hook. Aspects of the present disclosure thatfacilitate measuring tongue weight of a trailer by utilizing aninteraction between a receiver hitch and a hitch portion can beincorporated into such coupling arrangements.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the ball mount 101 of FIG. 1inserted into the hitch receiver 102. As shown in FIG. 2, the ball mount101 is configured to pivot relative to the hitch receiver 102 about afulcrum 150 in response to a downward force 151 on the ball 107. Thefulcrum 150 can be defined by an interface between a bottom side 114 ofthe hitch portion 110 and the hitch receiver 102, such as a lowerinterior surface or outer edge of an opening. The pivoting of the ballmount 101 about the fulcrum 150 in direction 152 can cause the hitchportion 110 to move upward. The hitch receiver 102, such as an upperinterior surface 108, resists rotation of the hitch portion 110 indirection 152 about the fulcrum 150 by exerting a reaction force 153 onthe hitch portion 110, which induces a load, such as a force and/ormoment, on the hitch portion 110.

In one aspect, the load measurement device 130 can be configured todetermine a magnitude of the downward force 151 on the ball 107 based onthe load or a portion or a component of the load on the hitch portion110. For example, the load measurement device 130 can determine amagnitude of the force 153 exerted on the interface portion 131 of theload measurement device 130 by the hitch receiver 102. The magnitude ofthe downward force 151 on the ball 107 can be determined using themagnitude of the force 153, a distance 154 between the ball 107 and thefulcrum 150, and a distance 155 between the interface portion 131 of theload measurement device 130 and the fulcrum 150. The downward force 151on the ball 107 can therefore be determined using an interaction orinterface between the hitch portion 110 of the ball mount 101 and thehitch receiver 102. It should be recognized that the interface portion131 of the load measurement device 130 can be located at any suitablelocation on the hitch portion 110 and configured to facilitate contactof the interface portion 131 and the hitch receiver 102 at any suitablelocation.

In one aspect, the hitch portion 110 can be configured to facilitate thepivoting action about the fulcrum 150, such as by having a taper at anangle 115 that tapers narrower toward the location of the interfaceportion 131 of the load measurement device 130 to provide a rotationalrange of motion for the hitch portion 110 within the hitch receiver 102.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a ball mount 201 for measuringtongue weight of a trailer, in accordance with another example of thepresent disclosure, shown inserted into a hitch receiver 202. The ballmount 201 includes some similarities with the ball mount 101 of FIGS. 1and 2. For example, the ball mount 201 includes a hitch portion 210 forinterfacing with the hitch receiver 202 and a load measurement device230 associated with the hitch portion 210 and configured to determine amagnitude of a downward force 251 on a ball 207.

In this case, the hitch portion 210 includes a fulcrum feature 216 on abottom side 214 of the hitch portion 210 configured to form a fulcrum250 by interfacing with the hitch receiver 202. The fulcrum feature 216can be defined by a protrusion from the hitch portion 210 to ensurecontact by the fulcrum feature 216 with the hitch receiver 202 such thatthe ball mount 201 rotates about the fulcrum feature 216. For example,the hitch portion 210 can be locally recessed on the bottom side 214 toform the fulcrum feature 216 and ensure that the bottom side 214 of thehitch portion 210 provides unencumbered rotation of the ball mount 201about the fulcrum feature 216 when engaged with the hitch receiver 202.In one aspect, the fulcrum feature 216 can be located at a knowndistance 254 from the ball 207 and at a known distance 255 from aninterface portion 231 of the load measurement device 230. The fulcrumfeature 216 can therefore ensure that the fulcrum 250 formed by theinterface between the hitch portion 210 and the hitch receiver 202 is ata consistent and known location relative to the interface portion 231and the ball 207, regardless of how far into the hitch receiver 202 thehitch portion 210 is inserted (so long as the interface portion 231 andthe fulcrum feature 216 are within the hitch receiver 202), which canensure accurate determinations of the downward force 251 on the ball207.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a ball mount 301 for measuringtongue weight of a trailer, in accordance with yet another example ofthe present disclosure, shown inserted into a hitch receiver 302. Theball mount 301 includes some similarities with other ball mountsdisclosed herein. For example, the ball mount 301 includes a hitchportion 310 for interfacing with the hitch receiver 302 and a loadmeasurement device 330 associated with the hitch portion 310 andconfigured to determine a magnitude of a downward force 351 on a ball307.

In this case, the load measurement device 330 can include a reservoir332 associated with the hitch portion 310, as well as a fluid 333 and apiston 334, which can be disposed in the reservoir 332. The piston 334can be configured to interface with the hitch receiver 302 and affect apressure of the fluid 333 as a result of a downward force 351 on theball 307. For example, upon application of the downward force 351, theball mount 301 can pivot on the hitch receiver 302 about a fulcrum 350formed by a fulcrum feature 316. The pivoting of the ball mount 301 indirection 352 about the fulcrum 350 can cause the hitch portion 310 tomove upward in direction. This can cause the piston 334 to contact anupper interior surface or wall of the hitch receiver 302, which canforce the piston 334 to move in direction 335 within the reservoir 332,causing a pressure change in the fluid 333. In one aspect, the hitchportion 310 can be configured to facilitate the pivoting action aboutthe fulcrum 350, such as by having a taper at an angle 315 that tapersnarrower toward the location of the piston 334 to provide a rotationalrange of motion for the hitch portion 310 within the hitch receiver 302.It should be recognized that the reservoir 332 and piston 334 can belocated at any suitable location on the hitch portion 310 and configuredto facilitate contact of the piston 334 and the hitch receiver 302 atany suitable location. For example, the reservoir 332 and piston 334 canbe located at a forward end of the hitch portion 310, such as near aforward outer edge of the hitch receiver 302. In this case, a fulcrumcan be at an end of the hitch portion 310 within the hitch receiver 302.

Additionally, the load measurement device 330 can include a pressuresensor 336 in fluid communication with the reservoir, such as via aconduit 317. The pressure sensor 336 can be configured to indicate amagnitude of the downward force 351 based on the pressure of the fluid.In one aspect, the pressure sensor 336 can include a pressure gage thatis calibrated to mechanically indicate, such as with a dial readout, themagnitude of the downward force 351 acting on the ball 307. In anotheraspect, the pressure sensor 336 can include a transducer configured tooutput an electrical signal based on the pressure of the fluid. Theelectrical signal can be received by a processor that can determine themagnitude of the downward force 351 on the ball 307 based on thepressure represented by the electrical signal. The magnitude of thedownward force 351 can then be displayed, such as on an electronicdisplay.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a ball mount 401 for measuringtongue weight of a trailer, in accordance with still another example ofthe present disclosure. The ball mount 401 includes some similaritieswith other ball mounts disclosed herein. For example, the ball mount 401includes a hitch portion 410 for interfacing with a hitch receiver(omitted for clarity) and a load measurement device 430 associated withthe hitch portion 410 and configured to determine a magnitude of adownward force on a ball 407.

In this case, an interface portion 431 of the load measurement device430 can be located at a bottom side 414 of the hitch portion 410 and cantherefore be configured to contact a lower interior surface of the hitchreceiver. For example, as shown in the figure, the interface portion 431can be located at a proximal end 417 of the hitch portion 410 toward aball portion 420 of the ball mount 401. A fulcrum can therefore be at anend of the hitch portion 410 within the hitch receiver. For example,reference number 450 indicates a location on a top side 413 of a free ordistal end 418 of the hitch portion 410 that may form a fulcrum aboutwhich the ball mount 401 can pivot when a downward force is applied tothe ball 407, thus causing a reaction force to be applied to theinterface portion 431 from the hitch receiver in response to thedownward force on the ball 407. In one aspect, the interface portion 431of the load measurement device 430 can act as a fulcrum until the ballmount pivots sufficient to engage or contact an upper interior surfaceof the hitch receiver at location 450.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a ball mount 501 for measuringtongue weight of a trailer, in accordance with a further example of thepresent disclosure. The ball mount 501 includes some similarities withother ball mounts disclosed herein. For example, the ball mount 501includes a hitch portion 510 for interfacing with a hitch receiver(omitted for clarity) and a load measurement device 530 associated withthe hitch portion 510 and configured to determine a magnitude of adownward force 551 on a ball 507.

In this case, the load measurement device 530 can include a strain gage537 disposed on a surface 519 of the hitch portion 510. In one aspect,the strain gage 537 can be located on a recessed surface to prevent orminimize the likelihood of damage to the strain gage 537, such as wheninserting the hitch portion 510 into and removing the hitch portion 510from the hitch receiver. In response to the downward force 551 on theball 507, the ball mount 501 can pivot about a fulcrum 550, such asformed by a fulcrum feature 516, at a bottom side 514 of a proximal end517 of the hitch portion 510. A top side 513 of a free or distal end 518of the hitch portion 510 can contact an upper interior surface of thehitch receiver, identified by reference number 550, to resist rotationof the ball mount 501 and induce a load in the hitch portion 510. Thestrain gage 537 can be configured to measure deformation of the hitchportion 510 at the outer surface 519, which can then be used todetermine the downward force on the ball 507 that caused thedeformation. Although the strain gage 537 is shown located on an outersurface on a top side 513 of the hitch portion 510, it should berecognized that one or more strain gages can be located on any suitablesurface, such as on a bottom, a side, and/or an interior surface of thehitch portion 510.

In one aspect, the present disclosure can provide a method of measuringtongue weight of a trailer. The method can comprise obtaining a hitchreceiver associated with a vehicle. The method can also compriseobtaining a trailer having a tongue for coupling the trailer to thevehicle. The method can further comprise obtaining a ball mount having aball portion supporting a ball configured to couple with the tongue ofthe trailer, a hitch portion for interfacing with the hitch receiver,and a load measurement device associated with the hitch portion, whereinthe hitch portion is configured to pivot relative to the hitch receiverabout a fulcrum in response to a downward force on the ball, the hitchreceiver resisting rotation of the hitch portion about the fulcrumthereby inducing a load on the hitch portion, and wherein the loadmeasurement device is configured to determine a magnitude of thedownward force on the ball based on the load on the hitch portion. Themethod can still further comprise engaging the tongue of the trailerwith the ball. Additionally, the method can comprise observing themagnitude of the downward force on a display.

Of course, it is to be understood that the above-described arrangementsare only illustrative of the application of the principles of thepresent invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangementsmay be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims areintended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while thepresent invention has been described above with particularity and detailin connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical andpreferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, butnot limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function andmanner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing fromthe principles and concepts set forth herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ball mount for measuring tongue weight of atrailer, comprising: a ball portion for interfacing with a ballconfigured to couple with a tongue of a trailer; a hitch portion forinterfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle; and a loadmeasurement device associated with the hitch portion, wherein the hitchportion is configured to pivot relative to the hitch receiver about afulcrum in response to a downward force on the ball, the hitch receiverresisting rotation of the hitch portion about the fulcrum therebyinducing a load on the hitch portion, and wherein the load measurementdevice is configured to determine a magnitude of the downward force onthe ball based on the load on the hitch portion.
 2. The ball mount ofclaim 1, wherein the load measurement device comprises: a reservoirhaving a fluid and a piston disposed therein, wherein the piston isconfigured to interface with the hitch receiver and affect a pressure ofthe fluid as a result of the downward force on the ball; and a pressuresensor in fluid communication with the reservoir.
 3. The ball mount ofclaim 1, further comprising a display configured to indicate themagnitude of the downward force.
 4. The ball mount of claim 3, whereinthe display is associated with the ball portion.
 5. The ball mount ofclaim 1, further comprising a transmitter to communicate the magnitudeof the downward force on the ball to a remote display.
 6. The ball mountof claim 1, wherein the load measurement device comprises a load cell.7. The ball mount of claim 6, wherein the load cell comprises a straingage load cell, a mechanical load cell, a hydraulic load cell, apneumatic load cell, or combinations thereof.
 8. The ball mount of claim1, wherein the load measurement device comprises a strain gage disposedon an outer surface of the hitch portion.
 9. The ball mount of claim 1,wherein the load measurement device comprises an interface portionconfigured to interface with the hitch receiver.
 10. The ball mount ofclaim 9, wherein the interface portion is located at a top side of thehitch portion.
 11. The ball mount of claim 9, wherein the interfaceportion is located at a bottom side of the hitch portion.
 12. The ballmount of claim 11, wherein the interface portion is located at aproximal end of the hitch portion.
 13. The ball mount of claim 1,wherein the fulcrum is defined by an interface between a bottom side ofthe hitch portion and the hitch receiver.
 14. The ball mount of claim13, wherein the hitch portion comprises a fulcrum feature on the bottomside of the hitch portion configured to form the fulcrum.
 15. A trailerhitch system for measuring tongue weight of a trailer, comprising: ahitch receiver associated with a vehicle; a trailer having a tongue forcoupling the trailer to the vehicle; and a ball mount having a ballportion supporting a ball configured to couple with the tongue of thetrailer, a hitch portion for interfacing with the hitch receiver, and aload measurement device associated with the hitch portion, wherein thehitch portion is configured to pivot relative to the hitch receiverabout a fulcrum in response to a downward force on the ball, the hitchreceiver resisting rotation of the hitch portion about the fulcrumthereby inducing a load on the hitch portion, and wherein the loadmeasurement device is configured to determine a magnitude of thedownward force on the ball based on the load on the hitch portion. 16.The system of claim 15, wherein the load measurement device comprises: areservoir having a fluid and a piston disposed therein, wherein thepiston is configured to interface with the hitch receiver and affect apressure of the fluid as a result of the downward force on the ball; anda pressure sensor in fluid communication with the reservoir.
 17. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the load measurement device comprises astrain gage load cell, a mechanical load cell, a hydraulic load cell, apneumatic load cell, or combinations thereof.
 18. The system of claim15, wherein the hitch portion comprises a fulcrum feature on a bottomside of the hitch portion configured to form the fulcrum by interfacingwith the hitch receiver.
 19. The system of claim 15, further comprisinga display configured to indicate the magnitude of the downward force.20. A method of measuring tongue weight of a trailer, comprising:obtaining a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle; obtaining atrailer having a tongue for coupling the trailer to the vehicle;obtaining a ball mount having a ball portion supporting a ballconfigured to couple with the tongue of the trailer, a hitch portion forinterfacing with the hitch receiver, and a load measurement deviceassociated with the hitch portion, wherein the hitch portion isconfigured to pivot relative to the hitch receiver about a fulcrum inresponse to a downward force on the ball, the hitch receiver resistingrotation of the hitch portion about the fulcrum thereby inducing a loadon the hitch portion, and wherein the load measurement device isconfigured to determine a magnitude of the downward force on the ballbased on the load on the hitch portion; engaging the tongue of thetrailer with the ball; and observing the magnitude of the downward forceon a display.